Relationships

Marriage is always a special occasion

I would like to be able to say that the “stunned” feeling that came upon my husband on the day he first thought of marriage was caused by me — by my exceptional beauty, loving ways, scintillating wit, and rare intelligence. It was caused,…

by Lori Hadacek Chaplin This is a story of great longing and suffering, but it’s also one of hope. In Catholic musician Jaime Thietten’s 2012 album, Love Along The Way, she recorded a Kellie Coffey song called “I Would Die For That.” It’s a…

By Jeannie Ewing Whenever an injustice befalls us, it’s natural for anger to surface. Think of the times you have experienced betrayal, deception, or some type of misunderstanding. It’s not an emotion we’re comfortable with, especially as…

BY JOHN S. GRABOWSKI Exploring the Riches of the Empty Nest At first glance, it may seem more than a bit of a stretch to apply the words of the head waiter at the Wedding Feast of Cana to the situation of Catholic couples who reach the…

by Sean Patrick I was looking over Danny’s shoulder into the Fanny Farmer Choice Candies box where Mama kept the tiny items that meant something special to her. There, hard as a rock and with only the barest hint of color on the tip of one…

by Michele Faihnle Eleven years ago I took my son to a Protestant church for vacation Bible school. The second I walked in the door, people introduced themselves, welcomed me, asked my name, and directed me where to go. Every morning that…

Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God (Joel 2:13). Jesus’ call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before him, does not aim first at outward works, “sackcloth and ashes,” fasting and…

by Emily Jaminet Today people are more socially connected by technology than ever before, yet there is a growing trend of loneliness. An estimated 40 percent of Americans have been lonely at one point in their lives. In a 2018 Cigna study,…

by John J. Boucher At one time, my wife and I were contributing authors for a book called Keeping Your Kids Catholic. Just before its release, our oldest son Charles returned home from a summer art workshop with long hair and body…